What food packaging needs: - Protection from shock, vibration, compression, temperature, etc.
Barrier from dust and oxygen.
Tamper resistance for security reasons.
Convenience in distribution, handling, stacking, display, sale, opening, re-closing, use and reuse
Aluminium-
Pros -Recyclable - One of the most recycled resources in Australia. More than 31,000 tonnes recycled in 2002.
-Energy efficient - When being recycled, only 5% of the energy that was used to make Aluminium cans from scratch is required.
-Can be recycled an unlimited amount of times.
-Lightweight - In the past 30 years, the weight of an aluminium can has been reduced by around 30%.
-Provides barrier against light, fats, oils, oxygen and micro-organisms.
Cons -Toxic BPA (Bisphenol A) - Is commonly found in plastic, as aluminium can manufacturers line the insides of aluminium cans with plastic for the prevention of aluminium getting into the product, consumers can be exposed to toxic levels of BPA which can cause serious health issues.
-Injury - An open aluminium can will have sharp edges which can pierce the skin.
-Pollution - When aluminium is smelted, it gives off nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, which can result in acid rain and smog.
-Accessibility - Without a can opener, opening an aluminium can may prove difficult and cause frustration.
Plastic-
Pros -Cheap -Lasts for a long time -Light and easily portable -Costs less to transport as it’s lightweight
Cons -Harmful to the environment - takes long to break down -Leach chemicals into food -Production - When plastic is produced, it releases harmful toxins -Can melt
Glass-
Pros -Keeps it’s shape -No harmful chemicals -Infinitely recyclable -Safer to manufacture -Transparent so contents easily identifiable -Microwavable
Cons -Heavy -Shatters easily -Potential for injury - Shards of glass can pierce skin if grasped or stepped on
- Protection from shock, vibration, compression, temperature, etc.
Aluminium-
Pros
-Recyclable - One of the most recycled resources in Australia. More than 31,000 tonnes recycled in 2002.
-Energy efficient - When being recycled, only 5% of the energy that was used to make Aluminium cans from scratch is required.
-Can be recycled an unlimited amount of times.
-Lightweight - In the past 30 years, the weight of an aluminium can has been reduced by around 30%.
-Provides barrier against light, fats, oils, oxygen and micro-organisms.
Cons
-Toxic BPA (Bisphenol A) - Is commonly found in plastic, as aluminium can manufacturers line the insides of aluminium cans with plastic for the prevention of aluminium getting into the product, consumers can be exposed to toxic levels of BPA which can cause serious health issues.
-Injury - An open aluminium can will have sharp edges which can pierce the skin.
-Pollution - When aluminium is smelted, it gives off nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, which can result in acid rain and smog.
-Accessibility - Without a can opener, opening an aluminium can may prove difficult and cause frustration.
Plastic-
Pros
-Cheap
-Lasts for a long time
-Light and easily portable
-Costs less to transport as it’s lightweight
Cons
-Harmful to the environment - takes long to break down
-Leach chemicals into food
-Production - When plastic is produced, it releases harmful toxins
-Can melt
Glass-
Pros
-Keeps it’s shape
-No harmful chemicals
-Infinitely recyclable
-Safer to manufacture
-Transparent so contents easily identifiable
-Microwavable
Cons
-Heavy
-Shatters easily
-Potential for injury - Shards of glass can pierce skin if grasped or stepped on
References: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091122004819AAhQs0T
**http://www.thekitchn.com/container-battle-steel-vs-glass-food-containers-165409**
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_packaging
http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1396
http://www.livestrong.com/article/259503-the-disadvantages-of-aluminum-cans/